High lead levels found at three SIUE buildings

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) — Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is advising students that high lead levels have been detected in water at three buildings.

The note sent late Thursday says testing performed in early August found that water in Lovejoy Library, Rendleman Hall and Metcalf Theater has lead levels exceeding federal and state standards of 15 parts per billion.

Interim vice chancellor for administration Rich Walker tells the Bellville News-Democrat that Rendleman Hall and Lovejoy Library are among the oldest buildings on campus, and Metcalf Theater dates to the 1970s. However, he says levels also tested higher than normal in 3-year-old Science West.

The notice says the SIUE campus owns and operates its own water system, buying its water from the city of Edwardsville. The city tests the water supplied to the campus.